Things have been shaky at Twitter ever since eccentric billionaire Elon Musk took over several weeks ago, but this week new reports seems to suggest that things are getting stinky as well.
That’s because Musk, in an effort to stave off what he believes is a potential bankruptcy for the site, has fired a large swath of the network’s janitorial staff, forcing employees to fend for themselves.
Some of Twitter’s remaining employees have reportedly begun bringing their own toilet paper to the office as Elon Musk implements sweeping cost-cutting measures at the company.
Musk’s scramble to save money included a move this month to abruptly fire janitors who worked at the company’s San Francisco headquarters. The cuts came after the janitors had gone on strike for more pay.
The absence of janitors has “left the office in disarray,” with bathrooms that have “grown dirty” and persistent smells of “leftover takeout food and body odor,” the New York Times reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The report said some employees are bringing in their own toilet paper because no janitors are on hand to replace supplies. Musk has purportedly packed Twitter employees onto two floors while shutting down four others.
Twitter was facing some more serious problems as well.
The report said Twitter has missed rent payments on its San Francisco offices and stopped paying rent entirely at its building in Seattle, where it now faces evictions. The company also axed cleaners and some security staff at one of its buildings in New York.
Additionally, the Musk-led company has reportedly missed or delayed payments to some vendors, including account firm KPMG and benefits provider Carrot. Twitter’s new leaders are said to be aiming to renegotiate some of the agreements to lower costs.
Twitter’s fall from grace has appeared to have a bit of a ripple effect for Musk as well, as Tesla stock continues to crater on fears that the “genius” sheen that Elon once enjoyed is fading…fast.
